Libya campaign will falter without more help, Nato bystanders warned

US singles out Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Germany and Poland as big Nato countries that are not doing their share Britain, France and the other six countries engaged in the Libya bombing campaign will struggle to keep up the intensive attacks on Colonel Gaddafi without other countries joining in, the Nato alliance has been told. “Those who are bearing the brunt of the strike burden are increasingly pressed,” said Robert Gates, the US defence secretary. “I think they’ll be able to sustain it. But the question is just how much more painful it becomes, if other countries that have the capabilities don’t step up.” With the Nato-commanded air strikes on Libya to be prolonged by 90 days from the end of this month, only eight of its 28 member states are involved in the campaign, which has reached a peak in tempo and intensity this week. France and Britain are doing most of the attacks, while Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Italy and Canada are also heavily involved. The Americans are supplying the intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance air capacity as well as most of the air-to-air refuelling. At a closed meeting of Nato defence ministers on Wednesday, Gates singled out the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey for refusing to take part in the attacks on ground targets. He also voiced his exasperation with Germany and Poland who have refused to commit to any aspects of the Libyan operations. “To the degree that specific countries were named, it was because they’re the big countries that have actual military capacity,” Gates added. Liam Fox, the UK secretary of defence, amplified the criticism. “We will await their responses to what were uncompromising and crystal-clear messages,” he said. “We need to show Colonel Gaddafi that not only is there no lack of resolve, but also that there is no lack of capacity.” Nato planners are worried that the pace of the bombing campaign is taking its toll on the limited number of air crews involved. According to sources, James Stavridis, the US admiral and Nato supreme commander, told the meeting: “Sustainment is the key factor. We need to broaden the burden of resources among more nations.” Nato members have decided to extend the bombing campaign by three months from 27 June, raising questions about longer-term military capacity. “It’s in the next 90 days, that’s when there’s going to be problems,” said an official. Germany, which was strongly opposed to intervention in Libya and abstained in the UN security council vote authorising the air strikes, brushed aside the Anglo-American criticism. Thomas de Maiziere, the German defence minister, said Berlin had decided not to get involved. “That’s the way it will stay.” But he added that if the UN were to mandate an international force in a post-Gaddafi Libya, he would “constructively examine” the potential for dispatching German troops. Gates, who was an early sceptic about the Libya campaign and disagreed with President Barack Obama’s decision to intervene, stressed Washington’s determination. “There will be more assets. The United States is committed to this. We’re in this thing with our allies to the finish.” Libya Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Africa Muammar Gaddafi Nato US military Foreign policy Liam Fox Ian Traynor guardian.co.uk

Posted by on June 9, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.